Now, to be sure, I came near
to having words with Farley last night, but that wouldn't be the
basis for any action by the fourth class. That, if anything,
would be wholly a personal matter. Then what am I accused of
doing? It must be some fierce sort of lie when the fellows talk
of taking it up as a class matter."

For ten minutes more Dave puzzled and pondered over the problem.
Then the door flew open and Dan bolted hastily in.

"You haven't been hitting anyone have you? asked Dave, noticing
the flushed, angry face of his chum.

"No! But one of us will have to do some hitting soon," burst hotly
from Dalzell.

"It'll be my hit, then, I guess," smiled Dave wearily. "Have
you found out--"

"Dave it's the most absurd sort of lie! You know that Farley
and his little crowd got caught last night, when they returned
from their Frenching party over the wall?"

"Frenching" is taking unauthorized leave from the academic limits
by going over the wall, instead of through the gate.

"Yes; I know Farley and his friends got caught," rejoined Darrin.
"But what has that to do with me?

"Farley and his friends are sore--"

"They ought not to be," said Darrin quietly. "They took the chance,
and now they ought to be ready to pay up like good sportsmen."

"Dave, _they say you informed on them, and got them caught!_"

"What?" shouted Darrin, leaping to his feet. His face was deathly
white and the corners of his mouth twitched.

He took two bounding steps toward the door, but Dalzell threw
himself in his chum's way.

"Not just this minute, Dave!" ordered Dan firmly. "We don't want
any manslaughter here--not even of the 'justifiable' kind!
Sit and wait until you've cooled off--some. When you go out
I'm going with you--whether it's out into the corridor, or out
of the Naval Academy for good. Sit down, now! Try to talk it
over coolly, and get yourself into a frame of mind where you can
talk with others without prejudicing your case."

"My case?" repeated Dave bitterly, as he allowed Dan to force
him back into his chair. "I haven't any case. I haven't done
anything."

"I know that, but you've got to get cool, and stay so, if you want
to make sure that others have a chance to know it," warned Dan.

"Does Farley say that I sneaked in information against him?"

"Farley and the others are so sore over their demerits that they
believe almost anything, now, and they say almost anything. Of
course, Farley remembe